PEP Talk- Fall 2007
Transcription
PEP Talk- Fall 2007
Non-Profit US Postage PAID Permit #470 Santa Rosa CA PEPTalk 951 Petaluma Blvd. South Petaluma, CA 94952 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED Fall 2007 Building Communities…One Project at a Time (707) 762-2336 • Fax: (707) 762-4657 • pep@pephousing.org • www.pephousing.org When the Big One Comes Lieb Residents Are Ready E Your Gift Matters! Since its founding in 1978, PEP Housing’s vision has been to house every senior and disabled person in need. Your donation helps turn that vision into a reality by supporting programs that provide affordable housing to low-income seniors and people with disabilities. Make a difference today by using the enclosed envelope to make a donation. PEP Housing Staff Mary Stompe Executive Director Ann-Marie Talbot Administrative Assistant Housing Development Bob Dreher Director of Housing Development Jenny Paisley Housing Development Coordinator Finance Sibyl Lister Director of Finance Karen Garrity Accounts Manager Fundraising Kari Millar Director of Fundraising Property & Compliance Eve Prevost Manager of Property and Compliance Jennifer Rahman Property Management Coordinator On-Site Resident Managers Debbie Antonsen Mountain View Apartments Board of Directors Joyce Cooper Caulfield Lane Apartments Dave Schmidt Vice President Diane Dorey Vallejo Street Apartments Mary Savage Secretary Fern Jones Edith Street Apartments Jim McCaffrey Treasurer Angel Tzenov Richard S. Lieb Senior Apartments and Boulevard Apartments Don Bennett Resident Services Erin Hoffman Resident Services Coordinator Leota Fisher Gary (Buz) Hermes Resident Services Coordinator Maintenance & Construction Jim Langford Operations Manager Jose Tuyub Maintenance Technician Dave Kutlik Maintenance Technician Rev. Tim P. Kellgren Director Emeritus William R. Fishman President Tom Brandal Arthur Cooper James A. Dalton Roy Gettman Herb Lee Sid Lipton Richard Rodkin George (Kip) Spragens ver since 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina, being prepared to cope with a mega-disaster has captured the attention of FEMA and Homeland Security. Although millions of dollars have been allocated to help states, counties, and municipal emergency responders to be better prepared, a recent poll by the Bay Area Chapter of the American Red Cross shows that “only about one in 14 people have taken the necessary measures to prepare for a disaster.” Shortly after Katrina, PetalumaNet launched a project that is now known as CERT+NERT+ALERT. To date, over 70 citizens have completed a Community Emergency Response Training (CERT) course, organized Neighborhood Emergency Response Teams (NERT), and are now creating a community Alliance of Local Emergency Response Teams (ALERT). The ultimate goal is to create neighborhood clusters that are Safe, Trained, Alert, and Ready. Emergency Response Team (NERT). With training through the Auxiliary Communication Systems (ACS), they will be able to communicate important information in emergency situations. William, Bracha, and Rose also volunteer at the Prepare Petaluma Council. On October 18, Bracha headed up a training table at their disaster preparedness forum to train the community on how to prepare themselves and their families for any emergency. The ultimate goal is to create neighborhood clusters that are Safe, Trained, Alert, and Ready. Senior residents at PEP Housing’s Richard S. Lieb Senior Apartments are taking an active role in this program. Spearheaded by Lieb resident William Jones, who has been appointed by the Petaluma City Council to their Senior Advisory Committee, three Lieb seniors have become licensed HAM operators. These seniors — William Jones, Bracha Judith, and Rose Woolsey — have formed their own Neighbor Lieb Senior Apartments also boasts four certified Community Emergency Response Training or CERT members — William Jones, Shirley Lauder, Ute Schneider, and Bracha Judith. These active seniors have graduated from a 27-hour course to receive this certification from Homeland Security. They have learned how to help their neighbors in the event of a disaster — from being trained in triage, to cribbing, which teaches you how to lift a 4,000 pound object that may be on top of a victim. Inspired by our senior residents at Lieb, PEP Housing is proud to be sponsoring the first two-hour CERT course for seniors at Lieb. Headed by Bill Paxton, this course will teach residents how to be prepared and ready “when the big one comes.” Keep up the good work Lieb seniors! ▲ President’s Message Take a walk through the local cemetery sometime and you get a sense of how differently people want to be remembered: plain marble slabs, large granite obelisks, and all kinds of monuments in between. I raise this issue because I think there are other ways to be remembered that say more about a person than can be engraved on stone or cast in brass. That is why, in addition to our current modest contributions of time and money, my wife Maggie and I have amended our living trust to provide a gift to PEP Housing after our deaths. A small portion of the contribution will hopefully be used to engrave our names on a brick or plaque in the courtyard of one of PEP Housing’s properties. Now that will be a memorial that stands for something! “We helped provide this home to people who were not as fortunate as we have been” — that’s how I want to be remembered. You have to get Maggie and I are not activists involved for worthwhile and we are not wealthy. But things to happen. we have always gotten involved in things that we care about — the PTA, Youth Soccer, and Little League (when the kids were kids), and now, PEP Housing. You don’t do those things because you want recognition; you do them because you have time, talent, or money, and these things don’t get done by themselves. You have to get involved for worthwhile things to happen. The time will come when we won’t be able to be so involved; but that doesn’t mean the contribution stops. The gift that we provide for PEP Housing will not be so large as to seriously affect our children’s inheritance. Will they be insulted that we diverted some of our modest estate to PEP Housing? To the contrary. They know and respect that PEP Housing and the low-income seniors they help deserve the time that I have contributed. They have ribbed me a little when I have enlisted their help and dragged them along to deliver holiday gifts to PEP residents. But back in the car they pat me on the back and offer a “good job Dad.” And they will understand and approve of the consistency of our final gesture in support of PEP Housing. Please join Maggie and me. Amend your will or trust to provide a generous gift to PEP Housing. Years from now, your children and grandchildren, and your community will know that your monument means more than a granite obelisk. William R. Fishman President, Board of Directors ▲ 2 Message from the Executive Director — Mary Stompe It’s been a wonderful summer at PEP Housing! I was fortunate enough to attend the International Housing conference in Malta and the Washington Mutual Executive Directors’ retreat in Las Vegas. I continue to serve on Aging Services of California’s Housing Subcommittee and advocate for more affordable housing. Most exciting was breaking ground on 58 units of affordable senior housing with our Casa Grande Senior Apartments project. Each year, WAMU invites executive directors from the nonprofit organizations they fund to attend a retreat to strengthen and support those nonprofits. The conference provided outstanding professional development courses and an opportunity to network with other nonprofit organization leaders. Our participation in Aging Services of California’s state-wide committee on affordable housing has proven to be an invaluable membership. As a representative of PEP Housing, I suggested that legislation be introduced that will waive property taxes for undeveloped land that is slated for future affordable housing. We currently pay full property taxes on a parcel until it is developed. Development of parcels can take several years and the property tax commitment drains our limited resources. On August 16th we celebrated the beginning of construction on Casa Grande Senior Apartments with a gala and groundbreaking ceremony. We anticipate completing construction in the fourth quarter of 2008. Thanks to our supporters and sponsors, we raised over $62,000. I’d like thank to all the wonderful volunteers who made the event such a success. Our Board President, Bill Fishman, will be stepping down as president after three amazing years. Bill Fishman is truly a visionary and has put his heart and soul into the organization. Through his leadership, we were able to advance many projects and achieve our goal of providing more quality affordable housing to limited-income seniors and people with disabilities. We are delighted that Bill will remain on the Board of Directors after completing his term as president. As we look towards our 30th anniversary in 2008, I realize that community support has provided the foundation for this organization. When Casa Grande Senior Apartments is complete, we will have nearly 300 units in Petaluma alone. But there is a lot more work to be done. I encourage you to use the envelope included with this newsletter to make a donation that will help us build more affordable housing for seniors and people with disabilities. Every donation, no matter how big or small, brings us one step closer to reaching that goal. By working together, we will continue to provide the best affordable housing in the Bay Area. ▲ News from the Housing Development Department Casa Grande Senior Apartments Becomes a Reality Five years after pre-development work on the project began, Casa Grande Senior Apartments is finally becoming a reality. PEP Housing physically broke ground at 400 Casa Grande Road on September 14. At present, soil conditioning, site grading, and other preparations to the land are taking place. Once this step is completed, construction of the building structures that will be home to 57 seniors this time next year will begin. ▲ PEP Housing Now Owns a Piece of Santa Rosa! On October 2, 2007, PEP Housing closed escrow and became the proud owner of 1.32 acres in Santa Rosa. The land, at 4711 Sonoma Highway near Acacia Lane, will be the site of 45 units of senior housing. “As our first significant move outside of Petaluma, this is a real milestone for PEP,” said Board President Bill Fishman. PEP Housing now begins work on structuring the mixed financing for the Acacia Lane Project, which will likely include HUD Section 202 funding, tax credit equity and local and/or state HOME funds. PEP Housing is currently working with the Santa Rosa Housing Authority to obtain local funding for the project, and will submit a funding application to HUD for Section 202 funding in June 2008. If the HUD Section 202 funding is approved in Fall of 2008, construction would likely begin in Fall of 2009 with initial occupancy in Fall of 2010. ▲ PEP Housing Sets Its Sights on Marin In Kentfield, PEP Housing is working with Marin County officials to develop its Toussin Project, a 13-unit development for seniors. In August 2007, final planning approval was received for the project and work began on drawings. At present, PEP Housing is exploring ways to accelerate the start of the Toussin Project by looking for funding options. Short of these alternative funding options, PEP Housing will apply for HUD Section 202 funding next Summer ▲ 3 Volunteer Spotlight Joan Capurro Makes Helping Low-Income Seniors a Priority As Bank of Marin’s Senior Vice President and Director of Community Relations, Joan Capurro spends most of her time doing what she loves best – supporting the community. PEP Housing is one of the lucky recipients of her time and talents. This summer, Joan served as the committee co-chair of PEP Housing’s gala “A Groundbreaking Good Time,” making it one of our most successful fundraising events. For most of her adult life, Joan has been in the banking industry. Starting at 19 as a page girl, she worked for Crocker Bank for 23 years, rising through the ranks in a what was traditionally a male-dominated field. When she had free time, she says she’d go to the next person higher up and say ‘I want to learn your job.’ She’d learn it and do it so well that when that person moved on, they’d give her their job. According to Joan, that was the only way to get ahead in those days. “I finally got to a level where I was making what the men were making when Wells Fargo bought the bank.” She went to work for a local savings and loan for a short time, then the opportunity to manage the San Rafael branch of a new bank, “Bank of Marin,” came along. “They were looking for someone who was well known in the community because of their volunteer work,” said Joan. One of the board of directors for the new bank knew her through community involvement and reccomended Joan for the position. She interviewed with them and was offered the job. Joan managed Bank of Marin’s San Rafael branch for seven years, then she transitioned into the community relations position. “Our community involvement grew so much that it needed to become a whole department.” Joan is proud of the bank’s dedication to supporting the community. “They opened their doors saying ‘we’re going to be the true community bank’ and they walked their talk,” said Joan. Community involvement is something that Joan learned at an early age. “I came from a family that was very poor. We’d get our toys from Kiwanis, or Salvation Army and some of our food through church.” But even though her 10 person family lived a meager lifestyle, her mother still gave whatever she could back to the community. “I grew up learning that when you’re given something, you give something back, not necessarily to who gave to you but to whomever has the need,” said Joan. “I find that somehow the more I give, the more I get.” 4 Joan credits Carol Kneis, then Petaluma branch manager, with helping her get connected with PEP Housing. At Carol’s invitation, she attended PEP Housing’s 2004 PEP Rally. “I really loved the feel of what PEP was doing.” Between that event and the next, Joan was invited to attend a meeting of PEP Housing’s Community Relations and Fundraising Committee. She thought she was just going to check out one meeting…“then I got a letter telling me when to show up for the next meeting. I had no idea that I’d signed on to the committee!” Joan said with a laugh. “But it was alright because what they do is so wonderful.” With her experience, Joan felt that perhaps she could help the organization, and she was right! “Joan’s advice, expertise, and positive energy have been a huge asset to our organization,” said Executive Director Mary Stompe. Joan’s commitment to support low-income seniors hasn’t wavered since joining PEP Housing’s Community Relations and Fundraising Committee. “PEP Housing is the main organization that I’m involved with in Petaluma,” said Joan. “It’s a perfect match because we’re seeing a growth in the senior population in every county and we need to work together to meet their needs.” PEP Housing is honored to be able to work with Joan Capurro to help the North Bay’s low-income seniors continue to live in the communities that they’ve helped build. ▲ Congresswoman Woolsey Addresses Concerns of Seniors A Successful Gala! PEP Housing hosted its fifth annual fundraising gala on Thursday, August 16. It was a dual celebration that included a groundbreaking ceremony for our twelfth affordable housing development — Casa Grande Senior Apartments. Over 300 PEP Housing supporters enjoyed music by Pride & Joy, gourmet food and wine, silent and live auctions, and a wonderful raffle prize — all on the property where the new apartment complex for seniors will be built. Established to bring community members together to celebrate PEP Housing’s accomplishments, funds raised at this event are essential to PEP Housing’s ability to continue offering affordable rent to low-income seniors and people with disabilities in the North Bay. Thanks to our generous sponsors, individual and corporate donors, the event raised over $62,000 to support affordable housing in our community. A special thank you to the following community members whose support made our 2007 gala “A Groundbreaking Good Time!” a success. ▲ Save the Date for 2008! 2008 will mark PEP Housing's 30th anniversary and we've already started planning a spectacular event in celebration! Mark your calendars to “Fly Into the Future” with PEP Housing on Saturday, September 20, 2008. The event will be held in a hanger at the Petaluma Airport, surrounded by vintage and modern airplanes. You'll be dazzled by a gourmet dinner, wine tasting, fantastic auction items, music, and dancing. Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey met with PEP Housing residents on August 29, 2007. Spurred by low-income seniors who are concerned about upcoming changes in Medicare that could adversely affect their ability to continue living independently, the Congresswoman participated in a frank and open discussion. Topics broached ranged from healthcare to the war in Iraq, which Woolsey strongly opposes. She urged PEP Housing residents to let their voices be heard by writing letters and sending emails to government leaders. 2007 GALA SPONSORS, DONORS, A long-time resident of Petaluma herself, Congresswoman Woolsey was the first welfare mother to serve in Congress. Now in her eighth term, she represents the 6th district, which includes most of Sonoma County. Having raised her family in California’s North Bay and lived here for over 40 years, Congresswoman Woolsey understands the concerns and reflects the values of Sonoma County residents. She frequently says that they are the most important voice she listens to; and she not only listens, she responds, as evidenced by her visit to PEP Housing’s seniors in August. ▲ Balcony AVM Graphics Bank of Petaluma Delco Builders & Developers Exchange Bank Fishman Supply Company Merritt Community Capital Morgen Benoit Photography Petaluma Chapter of Realtors Sonoma National Bank Steven J. Lafranchi & Assoc. Summit State Bank Presenting Sponsor Citibank Foundation Builders Washington Mutual Minuteman Press Pillars Autodesk Bank of Marin Midstate Construction PEP Board of Directors Entry Hall Archumana Architects Carle, Mackie, Power & Ross Daoro Zydel & Holland G.C. Micro Corp. Geyser Peak Winery Lynn & Gary Imm Jones Hall North Bay Construction Petaluma Argus-Courier Petaluma Health Care District V. Dolan Trucking Pathway Clover Stornetta Farms Lagunitas Brewing Company North Coast Builders Exchange North River Landing Culinary & Beverage Donors Adler Fels Winery Adobe Harvest Catering Albertsons Bella Luma Caffe Café Bella Daphne’s Greek Cafe Della Fattoria G&G Market Geyser Peak Winery Lagunitas Brewing Company Lombardi’s Gourmet Deli Lyons Mahoney Vineyards Martin Family Vineyards Matanzas Creek Winery AND Mazzocco Winery Moon Mountain Vineyard Papa’s Taverna Petaluma Coffee & Tea Co. Preferred Sonoma Caterers Ray’s Catering Risi Bisi Rocky Mt. Chocolate Factory Safeway Sonoma Valley Portworks Spring Hill Cheese, Inc. Tagliaferri’s The Seafood Guys Whole Foods Market Wilson Winery Volunteers Joan Capurro, event co-chair Mary Kellady, event co-chair Don Broadbent, committee Laura Buhrer, committee Bill Fishman, committee David Riedel, committee David Schmidt, committee Bracha Ahuva Caitlin Angulo Winifred Archibald Vanessa Bergamo Lyndi Brown VOLUNTEERS Gail Cardaropoli Ernie Carpenter Susan Coolidge Cheryl Feuerborn Faith Giosso Julie Griffin Fran Hoke Barbara Hoover Carrie Lee Kathy Madsen Craig Marston Scott Marston Dorothy Morris Maggie Neese Paula Neese Joann Parkhurst Pat & Art Poulin Kevin Rahmen Liz Ravenscroft Faith Ross Hope Stewart Erika Stonitsch Lee Strauss Len & Ruth Svinth Mary Tillotson Elaine & Ron Willenborg Carol York Wells Fargo Bank Employees 5 What’s the Buz? by Gary “Buz” Hermes Resident Services Coordinator Ageism I think of “isms” as attitudes based on cultural stereotypes. We are still coping with remnants of racism long after the Civil Rights movement and women are still struggling with sexism as they attempt to gain access to male-dominated professions with equal pay. Ageism is a negative attitude toward aging and elders. It is often based on a fear of aging and death. In our culture we also have a tendency to over-emphasize youth, physical beauty, and sexuality and to define productivity solely in economic terms. Anti-aging products and services are wildly popular; age discrimination in employment continues in spite of legislation prohibiting it; and elders are often blamed for our escalating healthcare costs and other economic challenges. We are surrounded by examples of ageism from youth-oriented images in our entertainment and advertising to “over-the-hill” birthday cards and ageist humor (such as “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks!”). We have a tendency to be overly protective of the very old, often speaking with the same condescending tone of voice we might use in speaking to a child and not allowing them to make their own decisions and mistakes. Our discomfort can cause us to look away when we see someone in a wheelchair or walker so that they feel invisible, or we help without asking if help is wanted, which contributes to feelings of helplessness and dependency. The danger of “isms” is that they can be internalized. The self-esteem of older adults is compromised by ageist attitudes. The stereotype of the frail, dependent, and unproductive senior is reinforced and the myths of aging are perpetuated in a self-fulfilling cycle. The role of the elder has traditionally been to preserve the values and the history of the culture and to pass on life skills and the wisdom of experience to succeeding generations. For this, the elders of earlier generations enjoyed the admiration and respect of their communities. The challenge for the current generation of elders is to redefine their role for the 21st century. Many older adults continue to lead healthy, independent, active lives in spite of living considerably longer than previous generations. Many volunteer to provide vital community services such as mentoring youth, supporting hospital patients, and assisting with disaster relief. Why Should You Consider Making a Charitable Estate Gift? Here are just a few reasons: 1. It makes you happy. If you support charities now, you probably want to continue this good work and be remembered by your family for having done so. The 2. You don’t have to be rich to become a member of PEP Housing’s Legacy Circle. You do not need a huge estate to be a philanthropist. Gifts of any size are an important investment in PEP Housing’s future. YOU 3. It saves money. Charitable planning can reduce tax bills for your heirs, putting more money directly into their hands and providing income for your beneficiaries. 4. It makes a difference. Often planned gifts to charities are larger than a person’s annual lifetime gifts, helping to buttress the economic life of the organization. As we examine our “isms,” it is a good time to re-think our attitudes toward aging as well, and to begin treating our elders with the dignity and respect that they deserve. ▲ gift that pays A gift of cash, stock, or real estate to a charitable trust is a classic win-win strategy for the donor and PEP Housing. PEP Housing gets whatever remains in the trust upon the death of the donor. The donor gets: Gary “Buz” Hermes, Resident Coordinator for Edith Street and Lieb Senior Apartments, has many years of experience working with elders and others with special needs. A senior himself, Buz has a special interest in creating safe and supportive environments in order to maximize independence. ▲ Income for life ▲ Bypass of estate tax ▲ An immediate income-tax deduction ▲ Diversified investments ▲ Bypass of capital gains tax ▲ Satisfaction of helping a good cause Honor Roll of Donors (January – June 2007) Employee of the Half Year: Diane Dorey Diane Dorey joined PEP Housing almost two years ago to become resident manager at the 575 and 579 Vallejo Street properties. Since then, she has become an invaluable member of the staff and beloved by the 91 residents she interacts with on a daily basis. “The sense of home and community here means everything. It’s not just my work place, it’s my home.” Diane has had a very diverse career, working in many different fields. She was previously in real estate sales, worked as a code enforcement officer for the city of Klamath Falls, co-owned a construction company, was a hospice caregiver in Petaluma, and an executive at a property development company in Marin. Most recently and prior to joining PEP Housing, she worked at Vintage Chateau Senior Apartments, where she learned the ins and outs of managing and leasing affordable housing apartments. “I decided that my next and last job before I retired would be meaningful,” said Diane. “I had heard about PEP for years and thought how wonderful it would be to work for an organization that provides homes for people like myself.” Diane puts her breadth of experience to use in many different ways every day. She says that she uses the skills she learned as 6 Master Builders ($10,000 +) Citibank St. Joseph Health System Foundation Washington Mutual Bank Benefactors ($5,000 - $9,999) Wachovia Foundation Patrons ($2,500 - $4,999) a hospice caregiver constantly. Another of the important skill sets that she brings to her daily interaction with PEP Housing residents are her communication skills. “Communication is the most important thing,” states Diane. Living and working on the property, she knows each resident personally and makes a concerted effort to present difficult issues to them in ways that won’t trigger barriers. “I love what I do,” said Diane. “The sense of home and community here means everything. It’s not just my work place, it’s my home.” Congratulations Diane for being voted “Employee of the Half Year” by your colleagues! ▲ Bank of Marin The Press Democrat Celebrate Community Stewards ($1,000 - $2,499) Exchange Bank Fishman Supply Company Midstate Construction Petaluma Chapter of Realtors Steven J. Lafranchi & Associates Summit State Bank Westamerica Bank Supporters ($500 - $999) Bank of America Harriet Boysen Daoro Zydel & Holland Bill and Maggie Fishman G.C. Micro Corp. Lynn and Gary Imm Sid Lipton Jim McCaffrey North Bay Construction Petaluma Health Care District Petaluma Host Lions George “Kip” Spragens V. Dolan Trucking Inc. Associates ($100 - $499) Don Bennett Clover Stornetta Farms Arthur Cooper Elim Lutheran Church Leota Fisher Terence Gray Levi Strauss Foundation Sid Lipton Gary Lombardi North Coast Builders Exchange Mary Savage David Schmidt Sooze Wine Bar Mary Stompe Two Rock Valley Presbyterian Church Friends (Under $100) Marlene Boyer Caroline Burback Chevron Employees Roy Gettman William Kortum Carl Rechsteiner Rose Silva Thank you! We make every effort to ensure the accuracy of this list. If you notice an error, please accept our sincere apology and alert us by Memorial Donations contacting the Fundraising Wilfred Lieb In Memory of Johana “Honey” Sheehan Department at (707) 762-2336 or email karim@pephousing.org. Vallejo Street Residents Association In Memory of Wendy Evans Vallejo Street Residents Association In memory of Darryl Anderson Vallejo Street Residents Association In memory of Kenzie Nicoll Honorary Donations Sid Lipton In Honor of Bill Fishman 7
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